51±¬ÁÏ

Shepherd Elementary School District

7842 Shepherd Road
Shepherd, MT 59079
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Shepherd Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 571 students in Shepherd Elementary School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Montana.
Public Elementary Schools in Shepherd Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Montana public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Montana public elementary school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
2 Schools
515 Schools
# Students
571 Students
95,874 Students
# Teachers
37 Teachers
6,951 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Shepherd Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 333 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
This School District
State Average (MT)
#154 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
37%
37%
41%
46%
45-49%
37%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.17
0.40
% American Indian
5%
11%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
2%
6%
% Black
2%
1%
% White
91%
76%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,245 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,312. The school district revenue/student has grown by 29% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,158 is higher than the state median of $15,401. The school district spending/student has grown by 70% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MT)
Total Revenue
$8 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$13 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,245
$15,312
Spending / Student
$23,158
$15,401

Best Shepherd Elementary School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Shepherd Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7842 Shepherd Road
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5516
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Shepherd Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
7842 Shepherd Road
Shepherd, MT 59079
(406) 373-5873
Gr: 6-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-08
  • Enrollment: 571 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 9%
  • : Top 50% in MT
  • : 37% (Top 30%)
  • : 41% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

Quick Links